Future County Public Schools Attendance Policy

At FCPS, regular attendance is vital to academic success, social growth, and lifelong habits. Whether students are onsite, online, or in a hybrid model, being present and engaged matters every day.

🎯 ThinkWave SIS – The Official Source of Attendance

ThinkWave SIS is the sole platform for attendance tracking across all FCPS schools.

• Real-time attendance is recorded by teachers and staff.
  
  

• Parents/guardians receive live notifications when a student is marked Unverified or Absent Unexcused.
  
  

• New for 2025–26: If a student is out of class for more than 20 minutes, they may be marked Absent Unexcused in line with district policy.
  
  

📞 Reporting Absences and Late Arrivals

To keep attendance records accurate:

• If your student is sick or unable to attend, contact the main office before the school day begins, or as soon as possible.
  
  

• If your student will arrive late with parent approval, please notify the front office ahead of the school day.
  
  

💻 Online and Off-Campus Course Attendance

• Virtual courses: Students will be marked Present or Unverified based on participation and engagement in their online platform.
  
  

• Courses at other FCPS schools: Attendance will be recorded by the school providing the course and automatically transferred to the student’s primary school.
  
  

🤒 When to Stay Home

(Aligned with Fairfax County Health Guidelines)

Keeping sick students home protects everyone. Students should stay home if they have any of the following:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication before returning.
  
  

• Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours.
  
  

• A severe cough, difficulty breathing, or wheezing that isn’t well controlled.
  
  

• Thick yellow or green eye discharge, or bacterial pink eye that hasn’t been treated. Students may return after 12 hours of antibiotics if prescribed and symptoms are improving.
  
  

• A rash with fever, or a rapidly spreading or open rash. Stay home until evaluated and cleared.
  
  

• Strep throat. Stay home until at least 12 hours after starting antibiotics, with no fever and improving symptoms.
  
  

• Flu, RSV, or COVID-19 symptoms. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours, with symptoms clearly improving before returning.
  
  

• Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. Students must stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours, drooling is controlled (if applicable), and they’re able to participate in classroom activities.
  
  

✅ It’s Okay to Attend If:

• Mild symptoms (like a slight runny nose or minor sore throat) are present but improving, and your child is alert, active, and able to learn.
  
  

• There’s no fever within the past 24 hours, without medication.
  
  

• Lice treatment has started (such as medicated shampoo), even if nits are still visible.
  
  

• A chronic condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes) is being managed and a care plan is on file at school.
  
  

🗓️ When Can Students Return?

Students may return to school when:

• They have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medication.
  
  

• Symptoms are improving or have resolved.
  
  

• They are able to participate fully in classroom activities without excessive fatigue, coughing, or discomfort.